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4.27 AVERAGE
4.27 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4 very solid stars
Kelly Rimmer has become one of my favorite historical fiction writers because I love the characters she creates, with all their faults and assets. They are believable and often full of heartache, and it is evident that she puts in a large amount of research into the time period in which she is writing. This is my third book by the author and I continue to be transported into the world of her characters. I was definitely more familiar with this time period having recently read The Boy on the Wooden Box, The Woman With the Blue Star, and of course, Rimmer's previous book, The Things We Cannot Say, all of which are set in Poland during World War II. I don't know if this is supposed to be a companion book to The Things We Cannot Say, since there are no direct connections, but they do cover the same time period. The main difference is that TTWCS connects the past and present to ultimately help the present-day MC heal, while this story is set exclusively in the past and tells the story of two teenagers, Elzbieta and Roman, each with their own traumas, who end up involved in the Polish resistance, but in their own way. I believe this book was inspired by a real-life heroine who smuggled thousands of Jewish children out of the Polish ghetto and into safety (her character was Sara in this book). As is true of all the books I've read by this author, there was a ton of heartbreak and I ended up crying for them both. I loved how the author used Elzbieta's art as a way to find healing and I wish I could have seen the large mural on her wall. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that there were times in the middle when it just felt "long" to me and I would find my mind drifting a bit. However, these were fortunately not prevalent and it did not take away my enjoyment of the book. It also felt like there were maybe 2-3 points near the end of the book where it felt like it was the big ending, but then there were other unresolved issues that needed to be wrapped up. Still, once I hit about the 80% point, I couldn't stop listening and kept going until I hit the final end. The narrators were pretty good, although I preferred the narrator who did Elzbieta's part of the story more than the one who did Roman's story. He still did a fine job, but I preferred the other narrator.
Overall, this was a great book and will likely stick with me for some time.
Kelly Rimmer has become one of my favorite historical fiction writers because I love the characters she creates, with all their faults and assets. They are believable and often full of heartache, and it is evident that she puts in a large amount of research into the time period in which she is writing. This is my third book by the author and I continue to be transported into the world of her characters. I was definitely more familiar with this time period having recently read The Boy on the Wooden Box, The Woman With the Blue Star, and of course, Rimmer's previous book, The Things We Cannot Say, all of which are set in Poland during World War II. I don't know if this is supposed to be a companion book to The Things We Cannot Say, since there are no direct connections, but they do cover the same time period. The main difference is that TTWCS connects the past and present to ultimately help the present-day MC heal, while this story is set exclusively in the past and tells the story of two teenagers, Elzbieta and Roman, each with their own traumas, who end up involved in the Polish resistance, but in their own way. I believe this book was inspired by a real-life heroine who smuggled thousands of Jewish children out of the Polish ghetto and into safety (her character was Sara in this book). As is true of all the books I've read by this author, there was a ton of heartbreak and I ended up crying for them both. I loved how the author used Elzbieta's art as a way to find healing and I wish I could have seen the large mural on her wall. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that there were times in the middle when it just felt "long" to me and I would find my mind drifting a bit. However, these were fortunately not prevalent and it did not take away my enjoyment of the book. It also felt like there were maybe 2-3 points near the end of the book where it felt like it was the big ending, but then there were other unresolved issues that needed to be wrapped up. Still, once I hit about the 80% point, I couldn't stop listening and kept going until I hit the final end. The narrators were pretty good, although I preferred the narrator who did Elzbieta's part of the story more than the one who did Roman's story. He still did a fine job, but I preferred the other narrator.
Overall, this was a great book and will likely stick with me for some time.
Definitely a book that you absolutely cannot put down!
Recommend
Rimmer’s book helped fill a gap in my knowledge of WWII. Emilia and Roman’s story are an example of the courage, strength, and perseverance of the people persecuted and subjected by the Nazi’s. It is also a story of national pride, friendship, family, and love.
Rimmer’s book helped fill a gap in my knowledge of WWII. Emilia and Roman’s story are an example of the courage, strength, and perseverance of the people persecuted and subjected by the Nazi’s. It is also a story of national pride, friendship, family, and love.
Audio. I did not expect there to be a connection to The Things We Cannot Say, which I absolutely loved. This book was no different. Beautiful storytelling, complex and interesting characters. I took some time off of war books and this was the right one to come back for!
Another heart wrenching story from the world war 2 era. This book is fiction, but based in reality as it follows the people who helped save hundreds of children from the ghettos of Warsaw at risk of their own lives and the lives of their families.
I think this book got real for me when the children were smuggled out through the sewers, coming out of the dark hole covered in facies and smelling horrendous. I've heard so many stories like this and I couldn't imagine going through something that terrible. It goes to show the lengths people will go to to survive.
The story is told from multiple points of view and I did get lost at times, but that might be due to the way I was reading it through a text to speech app. Sometimes its not clear who's point of view I was diving into.
Every character had a part to play and they were so easy to get to know. Strong individuals that made change in the world around them.
I loved reading this book, but my heart hurts.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
I think this book got real for me when the children were smuggled out through the sewers, coming out of the dark hole covered in facies and smelling horrendous. I've heard so many stories like this and I couldn't imagine going through something that terrible. It goes to show the lengths people will go to to survive.
The story is told from multiple points of view and I did get lost at times, but that might be due to the way I was reading it through a text to speech app. Sometimes its not clear who's point of view I was diving into.
Every character had a part to play and they were so easy to get to know. Strong individuals that made change in the world around them.
I loved reading this book, but my heart hurts.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
It took me a few chapters to become invested but I did in fact become invested. The ending was a bit abrupt but it didn't detract from the rest. I had to remind myself that it was fiction though I can only imagine that the feelings expressed were a real reflection for those who went through that.
Beautifully written. My heart hurt so many times from the hurt but also from the joy. This books helps me love historical fiction even more. I took an extra long walk just so I could finish this audiobook. So good.
It is March 1942. After the loss of her family, fourteen year old Emilia Slaska is living in Warsaw with a childless couple and has been renamed Elzbieta Rabinek. While life in Poland is hard for everyone under Nazi rule, Elzbieta knows that there is even greater suffering behind the walls of the nearby Warsaw Ghetto, which is filled with several hundred thousand Jewish families. Fearing for Elzbieta's safety, her new parents won’t let her leave their apartment. She secretly meets with her neighbor Sara who is a nurse and joins her during visits within the Warsaw Ghetto where she appears to be providing medical aid. But Sara’s true mission is to smuggle Jewish children out of the ghetto and relocate them to safety. While on one of her trips to the ghetto, Elizbieta meets Roman Gorka, who is trying to protect his family as the Nazis have started transporting thousands to concentration camps.
The Warsaw Orphan is a highly emotional, gripping story which takes the reader through the Warsaw Uprising, the aftermath of the war and the Soviet occupation. If you have read author Kelly Rimmer’s book The Things We Cannot Say, you will recognize Emilia. Elzbieta develops a strong bond with Roman who becomes an angry young man seeking revenge and is willing to risk everything. The characters in this book are so well-developed, you will feel for each of them. The realism of their experiences and depth of despair during such a horrendous period makes this a heartbreaking and unforgettable book. World War II-themed novels are never easy to read but help tell valuable stories of the strength of the human spirit and incredible heroism. In the Author’s Note at the end, we learn that this book was inspired by real-life Polish nurse and resistance activist, Irena Sendler, who smuggled Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto to safety. I hope you check out this wonderful book. It's another impressive achievement for Rimmer who is an auto-read author for me.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
The Warsaw Orphan is a highly emotional, gripping story which takes the reader through the Warsaw Uprising, the aftermath of the war and the Soviet occupation. If you have read author Kelly Rimmer’s book The Things We Cannot Say, you will recognize Emilia. Elzbieta develops a strong bond with Roman who becomes an angry young man seeking revenge and is willing to risk everything. The characters in this book are so well-developed, you will feel for each of them. The realism of their experiences and depth of despair during such a horrendous period makes this a heartbreaking and unforgettable book. World War II-themed novels are never easy to read but help tell valuable stories of the strength of the human spirit and incredible heroism. In the Author’s Note at the end, we learn that this book was inspired by real-life Polish nurse and resistance activist, Irena Sendler, who smuggled Jewish children out of the Warsaw Ghetto to safety. I hope you check out this wonderful book. It's another impressive achievement for Rimmer who is an auto-read author for me.
Rated 4.5 stars.
Review posted on MicheleReader.com.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced